Archived videos of previous sings can be found here.

Please refresh your browser at 11AM (PST) to view live event.

Questions? Email Casey Fenton

Live captions are available here!

To view a list of recently sung chantey songs, please go here!

Song list from our February 2026 virtual sing:

*Please note, this list reflects songs provided to us by singers in advance and may not be a complete list of all songs performed.

1. Det Blaser Kalit Kalit Vader Ifran Sjon

2. A Long Time Ago

3. Silver Sea (Comp. by Steve Wainright)

4. Generations of Change

5. The Bold Princess Royal

6. Hogeye Man

7. Heave away, Me Bullies

8. Farewell To Tarwathie (Comp. by George Scroggie)

9. Roll the Woodpile Down

10. Farewell to Fiunary (Lyrics by Norman MacLeod)

11. Whale Song

Thank you for helping us meet our first fundraising goal! We still need your support to continue these and other related programs.

SF Maritime Association Chantey Sing (AKA Sea Shanty) 2.20.21

SF Maritime Association Chantey Sing (AKA Sea Shanty) 2.20.21

More chantey sing opportunities: www.nwseaport.org

Historical Perspective: "Sea Chanteys" Then and Now

The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park's Maritime Research Center is home to the largest library in the National Park Service. Below we highlight a few interesting resources and facts from the Maritime Research Center about the role "sea chanteys" have had upon the maritime industry and the formation of the San Francisco Bay Area. In fact, chantey singing in San Francisco continues to this day.

For over forty years sea music enthusiasts have gathered on the historic ships, C.A. Thayer and Balclutha, docked at Hyde Street Pier in San Francisco to sing chanteys and other sea songs. During the pandemic, we turned to virtual chantey sings, which expanded to include thousands of singers from around the world. Although in-person chantey sings have resumed at the San Francisco Maritime Museum Building, we are continuing virtual chanteys for our global community.

The term "sea chanteys" is usually used to describe work songs. These are shorter, with easily repeatable and remembered lyrics to be sung while hauling lines or turning a capstan. "Sea Songs," in general, refers to songs sung about sailors by sailors that reflect upon their time at sea, away from home, and in foreign ports.

For the library enthusiast in all of us, below is a link called the "Chantey Pathfinder" which contains a rich body of music recordings, books, journal articles, and favorites from song leader Peter Kasin who is a Park Ranger at the SF Maritime Park. All of these resources can be found using the search resources of the Maritime Research Center's Chantey Pathfinder here.

Every SF Maritime Association-supported chantey sing event will feature more resources from our friends at the library and collections department.

Next Live Chantey Sing: 10/24/2026 @ 11:00AM (PDT)

Virtual Chantey Sing